A H'TLY disputed penalty in the dying minutes of the game robbed Vics of what would have been a well deserved point.

From a Colin Luckett corner the ball appeared to strike Mark Bailey's hand and despite strong protests from the Vics players the referee awarded a penalty and then to add insult to injury duly showed Bailey his second yellow card.

This was scant reward for a player who had been outstanding throughout the game.

The he penalty award came from the last of three consecutive corners as Kingstonian made one final sustained effort to break the deadlock

Kick taker Luckett stepped up to take the resultant penalty and duly converted to spoil all Vics hard work.

It was they who came nearest to opening the score early in the game when Devlin headed inches wide from a probing Bailey cross in the sixth minute, then Bailey latched on to a long through ball from Robertson and his shot was comfortably saved.

Kingstonian were finding it difficult to get past a solid Vics defence and when they finally did Lance Key was on hand to save well from Geoff Pitcher.

As half time approached Vics were desperately unlucky when an Adie Mike header hit the crossbar while Kingstonian responded immediately when the unmarked Sammy Winston's point blank header was acrobatically saved by Key, deputising for the suspended Malcolm Rigby.

The second half followed a similar pattern as the first with the Vics defence dominating the home attack, but as the game progressed the Vics forwards were making little or no impact themselves.

But at no time were Vics second best and, up until the last mnute drama, had comfortably earned a share of the points.

Manager Mark Gardiner can take a lot of comfort from the display of the defence, Gary Burke settling in well and forming a formidable partnership with John Robertson, while Mark Bailey looks a totally different proposition at right wing back.

Although the midfield faded they continued to battle, none more so than Colin Rose who covered every inch of the pitch, and latest recruit from Crewe, Richard Norris showed some promise.

The front players, however, were not as impressive and will need to make more of an impression in the coming months.

Team : Key , Bailey, Bates , Robertson , Burke , Devlin , Norris , Rose, Mike , Kimmins(Fletcher 89) , Vicary (Laurie 89) . Subs not used : Holcroft , Cooke & Doherty .

Ref : D. Whitestone (Northampton). Bookings : Bailey, Rose(Vics), Bass, Harris (Kingstonian)

Sent off : Bailey(Vics) .

Man of the match : Mark Bailey .

Attendance : 942